media release

SENATE FINANCE AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
Inquiry into residential and community aged care in Australia

The Senate Finance and Public Administration Subcommittee will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, 7 April 2009 for its inquiry into residential and community aged care in Australia at the Hotel Grand Chancellor, Brisbane, the Chair, Senator Helen Polley announced.

The hearing is open to the public and the program is attached.

Senator Helen Polley noted that: 'The hearing in Brisbane will be the fifth hearing conducted into the important issue of residential and community aged care. Evidence will be taken from representatives of the care services sector, peak organisations and the Queensland Nurses Union.

The Chair stated that: 'It is important that the Committee hears evidence from as many stakeholders across Australia so that it can gain a complete picture of the issues facing the aged care sector. This inquiry has generated considerable interest from providers, health professions, individual carers, involved unions and all levels of government.'

Senator Polley concluded that: 'As more and more Australians are reaching retirement age and becoming infirm, issues to do with aged accommodation and services will become more complex and it will be important that appropriate measures are in place to ensure that quality care is available. Witnesses to the inquiry have raised many issues particularly in relation to funding, the allocation of services and workforce problems. The matters raised will be considered in the Committee's report which will be tabled on 29 April 2009.'

For further information, please contact:

Senator Helen Polley, Chair, on (03) 6331 2599
Committee secretariat on (02) 6277 3439 or 0416 277 013

The submissions and Hansard transcripts of previous hearings are available at:
http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/fapa_ctte/aged_care/index.htm

SENATE FINANCE AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE INQUIRY INTO RESIDENTIAL AND COMMUNITY AGED CARE
PUBLIC HEARING

Tuesday, 7 April 2009 Hotel Grand Chancellor, Brisbane, QUEENSLAND
9.00 am – 3.15 pm
9.00 am - 9.45 am Blue Care Uniting Care Queensland – Sub 18
Mr Steven Muggleton, Executive Director
Mr Fred Huckerby, Director of Business Development
Mr Peter Hoare, Manager, Financial Strategy
9.45 am - 10.45 am The Aged Care Alliance – Sub 40
Professor Warren Hogan, Adjunct Professor, School of Finance & Economics, University of Technology – Sydney
Mr Jim Toohey, Chief Executive Officer, TriCare
Mr Steven Muggleton, Executive Director, Blue Care
Ms Jillian Jeffery, Manager Strategic Development, TriCare
10.45 am - 11.00 am Break
11.00 am - 11.45 am National Seniors Australia – Sub 104
Mr Paul Versteege, Senior Policy Adviser
11.45 am - 12.10 pm Office of the Public Advocate - Queensland – Sub 116 Ms Michelle Howard, Public Advocate
Ms Julie McStay, Legal Officer
12.10 pm - 12.40 pm National Ex-Service Round Table on Aged Care – Sub 8
Mr Ross Smith, Chief Executive Officer
12.40 pm - 1.30 pm Lunch
1.30 pm - 2.00 pm Aged Care Queensland Incorporated – Sub 62
Mr Barry Ashcroft, Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Ms Pam Bridges, Manager for Residential Services
Mr Michael Isaac, General Manager, Eden in Glasshouse Country
2.00 pm - 2.45 pm Queensland Nurses' Union – Sub 77
Mr Steven Ross, Industrial Officer
Ms Anne Garrahy, Professional Officer
Dr Liz Todhunter, Research & Policy Officer
2.45 pm - 3.15 pm Sundale Garden Village, Nambour – Sub 58
Mr Glenn Bunney, Chief Executive Officer